Exterieur van panden aan Wendenstraße 12 en 14 te Braunschweig 1892

This photogravure print shows buildings on Wendenstrasse in Braunschweig. Produced by J. Schombardt, the image captures the architectural details of the street's facades. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process, like etching or engraving, which uses photographic images to transfer an image to a metal plate, and then that plate is used to print the image. Look closely and you'll notice how the tones are continuous, similar to a photograph, because the plate surface is etched to different depths to hold more or less ink. This technique requires a high degree of skill. Each print demands careful inking and wiping of the plate before printing, a labor-intensive task. The photogravure process was favored for its ability to reproduce photographs with remarkable detail and tonal range. The image offers a glimpse into the built environment of Braunschweig, showing a moment in time that balances artistic craft with documentary intention. It serves as a reminder of the intersection of art, craft, and the industrial processes that shape our understanding of the world.